Galveston does not require an STR to be the owner's primary residence. Owners may designate an operator or a written-permitted lessee to run the rental, making the island a non-owner-occupied investment market. Counties impose no residency rule either.
Nothing in Galveston's STR ordinance (Ord. 25-060) limits licenses to primary residences or requires the owner to live on-site. The code defines an "operator" as any person the owner designates, including an agent, representative, or a lessee expressly permitted in writing, to run the unit. This confirms whole-home, investor-owned beach rentals are allowed, which reflects Galveston's tourism economy. Because Texas counties cannot zone, unincorporated Galveston County likewise imposes no primary-residence requirement on short-term rentals.
No penalty for non-owner occupancy; standard STR violations (unlicensed operation, unpaid HOT, unresolved complaints) remain Class C misdemeanors up to $500 per day.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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